Chiefs vs. Chargers time, TV schedule, odds, streaming, picks, announcers and more

An offseason full of waiting is over.

The Kansas City Chiefs open up their season Sunday afternoon, as they take on Philip Rivers and the Los Angeles Chargers in the 2018 regular-season opener.

The game marks the official beginning of the Patrick Mahomes Era in Kansas City, but the biggest storyline may have more to do with who isn't playing than who actually is.

The Chiefs will more than likely go up against the Chargers without starting safety Eric Berry, who was ruled doubtful this week because of the sore heel he has been dealing with since August 11 at training camp up in St. Joseph. On the Chargers’ side, defensive end Joey Bosa was seen wearing a walking boot this week and will not play in the game.

How each team’s defense deals with the opposing high-powered offense without its most important player could be the key to who wins this football game.

Pregame show

Nuts and bolts

Location: StubHub Center in Carson, California

Game time: Sunday, September 9, 2018 | 3:05 p.m. Arrowhead Time

TV channel: KCTV5

Online Stream/Replay: NFL Gamepass

Pregame show: Arrowhead Pride Tailgate, 10 a.m. on 610 Sports Radio in Kansas City | Presented by Albright Buick GMC Cadillac

Radio: 101.1 The Fox (Mitch Holthus, Kendall Gammon and Dani Welniak) | Spanish Radio Broadcast: La Mega 1160 AM (Tico Sports)

Matchup history: Chiefs lead 60-54-1 (regular season)

Odds: Chargers -3.0

Prediction: Chargers 31, Chiefs 20 (Sweeney) | Full staff predictions

Announcers: Ian Eagle (play-by-play), Dan Fouts (analyst), Evan Washburn (sideline)

Enemy SB Nation site: Bolts from the Blue

Twitter: Arrowhead Pride

Facebook: Please like us!

Chiefs 2018 regular-season schedule

Week 1 | Sep 09 | Chiefs @ Chargers | StubHub Center | 3:05 PM CBS

Week 2 | Sep 16 | Chiefs @ Steelers | Heinz Field | 12:00 PM | CBS

Week 3 | Sep 23 | 49ers @ Chiefs | Arrowhead Stadium | 12:00 PM | FOX

Week 4 | Oct 01 | Chiefs @ Broncos | Sports Authority Field at Mile High | 7:15 PM | ESPN

Week 5 | Oct 07 | Jaguars @ Chiefs | Arrowhead Stadium | 12:00 PM | CBS

Week 6 | Oct 14 | Chiefs @ Patriots | Gillette Stadium | 7:20 PM | NBC

Week 7 | Oct 21 | Bengals @ Chiefs | Arrowhead Stadium | 12:00 PM | CBS

Week 8 | Oct 28 | Broncos @ Chiefs | Arrowhead Stadium | 12:00 PM | CBS

Week 9 | Nov 04 | Chiefs @ Browns | FirstEnergy Stadium | 12:00 PM | CBS

Week 10 | Nov 11 | Cardinals @ Chiefs | Arrowhead Stadium | 12:00 PM | FOX

Week 11 | Nov 19 | Chiefs @ Rams | Estadio Azteca (Mexico City) | 7:15 PM | ESPN

Week 12 | Bye

Week 13 | Dec 02 | Chiefs @ Raiders | Oakland Coliseum | 3:05 PM | CBS

Week 14 | Dec 09 | Ravens @ Chiefs | Arrowhead Stadium | 12:00 PM | CBS

Week 15 | Dec 13 | Chargers @ Chiefs | Arrowhead Stadium | 7:20 PM | FOX

Week 16 | Dec 23 | Chiefs @ Seahawks | CenturyLink Field | 7:20 PM | NBC

Week 17 | Dec 30 | Raiders @ Chiefs | Arrowhead Stadium | 12:00 PM | CBS